In early September 2025, China held a massive military parade in Beijing marking 80 years since World War II's end, showcasing advanced weaponry and hosting leaders including Russia's Putin, North Korea's Kim Jong Un, and India's Modi. The event highlighted China's growing military strength and diplomatic influence amid rising tensions with the US, which has imposed tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases. Meanwhile, NATO allies, led by France and the UK, increased military support and sanctions against Russia following Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace.
China's parade was not merely a display of military hardware but a carefully choreographed diplomatic statement. By showcasing indigenous advanced weapons like hypersonic missiles and stealth aircraft, China signals its technological self-reliance amid Western semiconductor restrictions. The presence of Putin and Kim alongside Xi Jinping projects an 'axis of the excluded,' emphasizing alternatives to Western-led alliances.
The attendance of 26 mostly Global South leaders, contrasted with a Western boycott, underscores China's growing influence among middle powers seeking strategic ambiguity without Cold War entanglements. However, the absence of most European leaders reveals fractures China must navigate to lead a truly multipolar order.
In response to Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, NATO allies, notably France and the UK, have bolstered military support and imposed new sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet and suppliers. These moves reflect heightened concerns about escalation and the need to reinforce NATO's eastern flank.
US President Trump's criticism of India’s growing ties with China and Russia, coupled with tariffs on Indian imports, highlights strains in the US-India relationship. Despite this, Modi emphasizes a positive strategic partnership with the US, reflecting complex balancing acts amid shifting global alliances.
China will continue leveraging military displays and diplomatic engagements to position itself as a leader of an alternative global order, appealing to the Global South. Western powers face challenges in maintaining unity and influence, especially as NATO adapts to new threats. The US-India relationship remains pivotal but strained, influencing broader geopolitical dynamics. The parade marks a turning point where military power projection is entwined with diplomatic signaling, shaping global alignments for years to come.
China's Victory Day parade commemorated the 80th anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender, serving as a platform to display military modernization and assert leadership in a multipolar world. The event occurred amid escalating tensions from Russia's war in Ukraine, Western sanctions, and shifting alliances involving China, Russia, North Korea, India, and the US.
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Why Are Floods Happening More Often in China?
Recent heavy rains in northern China have led to severe flooding, landslides, and evacuations, raising questions about the increasing frequency of floods in the region. Many wonder what’s causing these extreme weather events and how climate change might be influencing them. Below, we explore the reasons behind the rising flood risks and what it means for China and the wider world.
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Why Are Floods Hitting Beijing and Hebei Now?
Recent heavy rains have caused severe flooding in Beijing and Hebei, raising questions about the causes and implications. Many wonder if climate change is making these events more frequent and intense. In this page, we explore why these floods are happening now, how climate change influences extreme weather, and what safety measures are being taken. Keep reading to understand the broader picture and what it means for the future.
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Why Is Beijing Flooding So Severe Right Now?
Recent heavy rains have caused catastrophic flooding in Beijing and surrounding areas, raising questions about climate change, infrastructure, and emergency response. Many wonder what’s behind this extreme weather and what it means for the future. Below, we explore the causes, impacts, and broader implications of these floods, along with related questions about climate change and regional weather patterns.
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What Caused the Floods in Northern China?
Northern China has experienced devastating floods in August 2025, with record rainfall leading to widespread damage and loss of life. Many wonder what triggered these severe floods and whether climate change played a role. Below, we explore the causes, the impact on residents, and the ongoing response efforts to this natural disaster.
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What Are the Biggest News Stories Today?
Stay updated with the top headlines shaping the world right now. From political shake-ups to natural disasters, these stories are impacting millions globally. Curious about how these events connect or why they matter? Read on for clear, concise answers to your most pressing questions about today's news.
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What Caused the Floods in Northern China?
Northern China has been hit by severe flooding since late July 2025, leading to tragic loss of life and widespread evacuations. Many wonder what factors contributed to this disaster. Was it just heavy rainfall, or are other elements at play? Below, we explore the causes of these devastating floods, their impact, and what is being done to respond and prevent future events.
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Why Is Northern China Flooding Now and How Is It Affecting People?
Northern China is experiencing unprecedented flooding due to record rainfall, leading to widespread damage and displacement. Many wonder what’s causing these extreme weather events, how communities are coping, and what the future holds. Below, we explore the key questions about this disaster, including the role of climate change, government response, and the human impact.
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Is Climate Change Making Floods Worse in China?
Recent severe flooding in northern China has raised questions about the role of climate change in intensifying natural disasters. With record rainfall causing widespread damage and loss of life, many wonder if these events are part of a larger pattern driven by global warming. Below, we explore the connection between climate change and flooding in China, identify the most at-risk regions, and discuss what can be done to better prepare for future disasters.
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How Are Chinese Authorities Responding to the Flood Crisis in Northern China?
Northern China has been hit hard by record rainfall causing severe flooding and infrastructure damage. With dozens of lives lost and thousands evacuated, many are wondering how the government and rescue teams are handling this emergency. In this page, we explore the current rescue efforts, evacuation numbers, infrastructure impacts, and long-term recovery plans to understand the full scope of the response to this devastating flood crisis.
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How Do Heavy Rain and Landslides Interact During Floods?
Recent flooding in northern China has highlighted how heavy rainfall can trigger landslides, causing devastating damage and loss of life. Understanding how these natural events connect is crucial for safety and preparedness. Below, we explore common questions about the relationship between floods, heavy rain, and landslides, and what you can do to stay safe during such disasters.
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What Caused the Floods in Northern China?
The recent floods in northern China, especially around Beijing's Miyun district, have raised many questions. What triggered these record-breaking rains and subsequent flooding? How is climate change influencing these extreme weather events? Below, we explore the causes, impacts, and what might happen next.
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How Do Floods Impact Cities and Communities Long-Term?
Recent severe flooding in northern China has highlighted the devastating effects floods can have on urban areas and local communities. From infrastructure damage to human tolls, understanding the long-term impacts of floods is crucial. Below, we explore how floods affect cities over time, how communities recover, and what measures can help prevent future disasters, especially in the context of climate change.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 km².
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or Shanghai Pact, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan,
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Tianjin, alternately romanized as Tientsin, is a municipality and a coastal metropolis in Northern China on the shore of the Bohai Sea.
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Wang Yi is a Chinese diplomat and politician. He formerly served as China's Vice Foreign Minister, Ambassador to Japan and Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office. He has served as the Foreign Minister since March 2013 and a State Councilor since March 2018
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo is an Indonesian politician, businessman and former Army lieutenant General who is the currently-appointed Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia.
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Ajit Kumar Doval, KC is the fifth and current National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India. He previously served as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau in 2004–05, after spending a decade as the head of its operation wing.
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Hebei is a coastal province of the People's Republic of China, and is part of the North China region. The modern province was established in 1911 as Chihli Province. Its capital and largest city is Shijiazhuang.
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Robert Fico is a Slovak politician who served as Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. He has been the first leader of the Direction – Social Democracy party since 1999.
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World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.
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Li Qiang is a Chinese politician and a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. He is the current Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, and formerly served as Governor of Zhejiang and Party Secretary of Jiangsu.
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Kao Kim Hourn is currently Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, a Member of the Supreme National Economic Council, Senior Fellow at the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia, a Member of the Global Council of Th
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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Piyush Vedprakash Goyal (born 13 June 1964) is an Indian politician who is serving as Minister of Commerce and Industry since 2019. He also served as Minister of Textiles and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. He was elevated...
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Xinhua News Agency or New China News Agency is the official state-run press agency of the People's Republic of China. Xinhua is the biggest and most influential media organization in China, as well as the largest news agency in the world in terms of corre
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Yanqing District, formerly known as Yanqing County before 2015, is a district of the municipality of Beijing located northwest of the city proper of Beijing.
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Kursk (Russian: Курск, IPA: [ˈkursk]) is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym rivers. It has a population of 440,052 (2021 Census).
Kursk is the oldest city in the obl
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Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country located in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative subdivisions, covering an area of 312,696 square kilometres, and has a largely temperate seasonal climate.
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Shanxi is a landlocked province of the People's Republic of China and is part of the North China region. The capital and largest city of the province is Taiyuan, while its next most populated prefecture-level cities are Changzhi and Datong.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Tokayev began his career in
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